End connector for high pressure reinforced rubber hose

ABSTRACT

A swage fitted end connector for high pressure large diameter reinforced flexible rubber hose utilizing sine-wave locking of the reinforcement and particularly suited to the petrochemical and drilling industries. Two embodiments of the connector for use with wire reinforced thin internal tube hose are disclosed: one with a diameter of 3-inches and for burst pressures up to 20, 000 psi and the other for a diameter of 5-inches and for burst pressures up to 18,000 psi. All of the connectors will withstand the rated burst pressure of the hose without pumping off or leaking thus any hose that utilizes the device will fail before the connector pops off the hose. The connectors are designed to meet or exceed the new API temperature ranges and new API flexible specification levels which became effective in October 2006.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/946,564, entitled “END CONNECTOR FOR HIGH PRESSURE REINFORCED RUBBERHOSE,” filed on Nov. 19, 2015 which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/138,182, entitled “CONNECTOR FOR HIGH PRESSUREREINFORCED RUBBER HOSE”, filed Jul. 15, 2011, which is a U.S. NationalStage filing of International Application No. PCT/US2010/000520 filedFeb. 23, 2010, under 35 USC 371 entitled “IMPROVED END CONNECTOR FORHIGH PRESSURE REINFORCED RUBBER HOSE” published on Sep. 2, 2010, asInternational Publication No. WO 2010/098833, which claims priority ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 61/208,531 filed Feb. 25, 2009. Thisapplication commonly assigned with U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/138,182, International Application No. PCT/US2010/000520 and U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/208,531.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the reinforced rubber hoseindustry and in particular to swaged hose couplings used to terminatelarge diameter high pressure flexible reinforced rubber hose used in theenergy, marine, petrochemical and like industries which can meet thenewer API standards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

High-pressure rubber hose is used in many instances in industry butparticularly in the mining, construction, energy, marine andpetrochemical industries. Flexible rubber hose is used to transferfluids under various pressures and temperature between two points, oneor both of which, may move relative to each other or to another fixedpoint in space. Piping at the two points is generally metal (or someother form of fixed conduit) and the flexible hose must attach to thepiping at both ends. This requires a coupling on each end of the hose.

In the drilling industry, a flexible rubber hose runs between the pumppiping system on the rig and the kelly that is coupled to the rotatingdrill string. The pump system forces drilling fluid down the center ofthe drill pipe, and back through the wellbore, in order to flushcuttings from the wellbore (plus providing wellbore stability, etc.). Inthis instance, the flexible hose is subjected to high pressures. Thehigh pressure is required to both transfer drilling fluid into thewellbore and overcome static return head pressures—the deeper thewellbore, the higher the pressure.

The rotary drilling hose is subject to further stress in that it hangsdown within the derrick supported at either end by the metal coupling onthe hose and the fact that the kelly is moved up and down literallythousands of times during the drilling operation. This means that thehose is subject to stress at the metal coupling (in addition to beingsubject to stress throughout its length). Thus, a highly reliable bondbetween the hose and the coupling is required for protection ofpersonnel and equipment. If the hose breaks loose from the coupling, itcould easily fall and cause severe damage on the drill floor of the rig.In a similar manner, if the hose breaks, circulation may be lostresulting in a well blowout situation.

In order to obtain a high-pressure flexible rubber hose (the term rubberis used generally and does not specifically mean natural occurringrubber gum), a hose manufacturer incorporates a reinforcing material.Thus, the hose will consist of an inside sealing membrane—the fluidtight element, an inner rubber element, a reinforcing element, an outerrubber element, and finally some sort of abrasive resistant covering.The reinforcing element can be polyester or similar organic material,carbon fiber or similar high technology material or metal (steel)generally in the form of wire or cable. The reinforcement generally isused in multiple layers called “plys” And usually made of steel.

There are four types of reinforcing employed by the hose manufacturerthat is set down in even layers—i.e., 2 layers, 4 layers, 6 layers,etc., and grading systems are used to specify burst pressures for hose.For example, in the rotary drilling industry, grade C hose has a minimumburst pressure of 10,000 psi, grade D hose has a minimum burst pressureof 12,500 psi and grade E hose has a minimum (guaranteed) burst pressureof 18,750 psi. Grade C and D hose are 2 ply hose, although there is some4 ply D hose. Most grade E hose is 4 ply. Swage end connectors arecurrently available for two ply hose and therefore the burst pressurerange for C and D hoses is covered by the current art.

Generally a hose manufacturer manufactures flexible hoses to specificorder by the purchaser who specifies length, diameter, pressure, serviceratings and required end connections. These flexible hoses are generallyreferred to as a “hose assembly with end connectors” or “a built-up hoseassembly.” This term is used throughout the industry.

In a built up hose assembly with end connections, the manufacturer,during the course of manufacturing terminates the rubber hose into ametal fitting (the end connector) as specified by the purchaser. Thus,the manufacturer would make the inner rubber membrane (1^(st) Carcass)and its associated inner seal layer (tube or inner tube) and terminatethis assembly in the end connector. The manufacturer would then add thewire reinforcement, as needed, terminating each reinforcing wire (orcable) in the end connector. Two techniques are typically employed byhose manufacturers for terminating the wire reinforcing in or on the endconnector itself but are beyond the scope of this discussion. Finallythe outer rubber layer (2^(nd) Carcass) and outer cover (cover) would beformed about the reinforcing wire or cable and the overall productvulcanized to achieve a cohesive product.

It takes time to manufacture a hose assembly with end connections bythis method and often such a hose is needed almost immediately byindustry. In order to service this demand a separate industry termed thelocal market distributor has evolved. The local market distributor keepsbulk reinforced hose—hose without connectors—in inventory. The purchaserwould specify the hose requirements—diameter, length, pressure ratingand end connectors—to the local market distributor. The local marketdistributor then takes bulk reinforced rubber hose from inventory, cutsthe hose to required length, and places a coupling on each end of thehose. Bulk hose is available in varying lengths from a hosemanufacturer, and the actual bulk length (between 90 and 110 feet) willdepend on the mandrel used by the manufacturer.

The resulting hose is called a SWAGED or CRIMPED HOSE, depending on themethod used to “place” the end connector onto the hose, where the term“place” is being used to include both swaging and/or crimpingoperations. It should be noted that swaging and crimping accomplishsimilar end results.

The current state of the art in swaged (or crimped) connectors hasevolved to using an outer ferrule with lands (internal ridges) that arecompressed around the end of a reinforced hose about a stem that isinserted into the end of the hose. The stem may or may not have barbsthat are meant to improve the “grip” between the hose and the endconnector. Often, the outer layer of the reinforced hose is “skived”which means that the outer carcass (the outer layer of rubber andabrasive resistant covering) is removed thereby exposing thereinforcement (although some local distributors do not skive).

The reinforced hose is actually held in the end connector by the ridgesof the ferrule gripping the reinforcement via compression of the hoseagainst the stem. The compression operation (swaging or crimping) of theferrule against the reinforcement and against the inner stem createssevere stress and strain within the rubber of the hose and in particularthe reinforcement.

It is known that multiple ply-reinforced hose may contain manufacturingdefects (actually all reinforced hose may contain defects). Duringmanufacture a ply may be out of position. That is, rather than lie nextto each other a void (filled of course with rubber) may exist betweenthe plys; the plys may be off-center; or, one or more cables may standout (i.e., be slightly above the other cables). These defects can causefailure, if the defect is within or near the confines of the swaged orcrimped connection.

The reason for the failure is relatively simple and relates back tostress imposed on the plys by the end connector. If a cable or ply isout of place, that element will be compressed more than the otherelements. This additional compression puts more stress on theout-of-place reinforcement that can result in failure.

Development of high pressure swaged end connectors for rubber hose hasextended over a period of years and the art runs the gauntlet from lowtemperature and/or low pressure to high temperature and/or high pressureapplications. The hose diameters range from fractional centimeters[fractional inches] to fractional meters [tens of inches] and themanufacturers/providers of connectors realize that the pump-off force onthe fitting is proportional to the inside diameter of the hose and theapplied pressure.

As explained in U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,090 to Baldwin et at., which isincorporated in its entirety in this disclosure by reference, most ofthe standard prior art uses a serrated stem that has backward facingteeth that grips the inner liner of the hose to retain the stem in thehose. Further the art also uses a series of lands (ridges) within theferrule that bite into the outer layer of the hose and the reinforcementand supposedly causes the teeth (or barbs) of the stem to bite furtherinto the inner lining.

Baldwin et al. explain that the standard art causes severe failure ofthe reinforcing cable (or wire) because the sharp edges of the connectordamage the reinforcement. In order to overcome this basic failureBaldwin et al. proposed an invention that consisted of a “waved” ferruleand stem that joins an end connector to flexible reinforced rubber hosethereby forming a “double sine-wave lock” between the ferrule and thestem, but mainly the lock forms within the ferrule (see U.S. Pat. No.7,338,090). The ferrule and stem are welded together at the coupling endleaving an opening, which accepts the reinforced rubber (elastomer) hosein almost the same manner as a normal “ridged” ferrule and “barbed” stemfitting. Rather than having straight sides, the lands of the ferrule andthe high points of the stem form a sinusoidal shape—wave. The wavepattern has the appearance of ripples on a pond caused by throwing astone into the water.

The ‘double sine-wave lock’ invention locks all the plys of hosereinforcement inside the end connector, between the stem and ferrule, ina sine wave compressed against the ferrule and the stem to give thefitting an overall strength that is in excess of the strength of thefree standing hose (without end connectors) whether or not the hose isunder pressure. Grade E hose has a minimum burst pressure of 18,750 psi;thus the instant device, when used with grade E hose will have anoverall strength greater than 18,750 psi. (At these pressures thepump-off forces involved reach or exceed 240,000 pounds_(force)depending on the cross sectional areas.) The invention carefullyconsiders the material forming the ferrule and stem and the relativemovement of those materials while attaching the end connector to thehose along with the unpredictable qualities of rubber and flexible hoseconstruction to minimize induced stress in the hose reinforcement. Allof these factors, including the sinusoidal shape of the ferrule and stemand the preferred two-step method of attachment (internal expansion ofthe stem followed by external swaging of the ferrule), operate togetherto form the original Baldwin et al. invention.

In overall summary, the original Baldwin et al. ‘double sine-wave lock’invention utilizes a sinusoidal wave-like lock within a ferrule and stemto lock the reinforcement plys and the hose into the end connector bycompressing the hose and reinforcement between the waved ferrule andwaved stem. Stress and strain on the reinforcement and the tendency forthe reinforcement to tear (or pull away) from the rubber hose isminimized by carefully reducing the relative axial displacement betweenthe ferrule and stem that always occurs during the attachment operation.The relative axial displacement is minimized by using high tensilestrength steels, minimum un-attached clearances between the hose and endconnector, and careful design of the node, lands grooves and flutes tocause a sine like wave while minimizing the radial thickness of the stemand ferrule at the critical cross-sections and considering the resultingstrength of the attached fitting.

The Baldwin ‘double sine-wave lock’ has proven to work with any cable orwire high pressure reinforced hose and has in fact replaced the‘built-up’ hose with end connectors, because the hose that utilizes theBaldwin double sine-wave end connector will not fail between the hoseand the end connector. Any failure of the hose under pressure will be inthe hose itself. THE END CONNECTOR WILL NOT COME LOOSE FROM THE HOSE:this statement cannot be made regarding built-up hoses. Thus, the‘double sine-wave lock’ Baldwin end connector has improved safety in theworkplace. No longer will a hose come loose and flop all over the areadamaging equipment and injuring personnel.

The “double-lock” end connector requires a two step connection process.The connector is placed on the hose and the stem is internally expanded.The resulting assembly is then placed in a swaging press and the ferruleis swaged onto to the hose/stem. In developing their invention, theinventors wondered if such a two step process was needed and if large(relatively) lands and grooves were required on the stem. It was knownthat the actual lock occurred between the ferrule and the reinforcementwith some minimal lock (transfer of pump-off force) between the stem andthe reinforcement. If a stem could be designed with small bumps and if aconnection step could be eliminated an improved device would result.More importantly, the removal of the expansion step would reduce theamount of material movement within the hose during the swaging/expansionprocess. With the reduction of material movement within the hose itself,an improved seal and lock could result with a reduction in inducedstress.

In the past several years hose manufacturers (particularly in Europe)have been producing a light weight high pressure reinforced rubber hose.This hose uses wire or cable reinforcement but uses a much thinner innertube. The inner tube is the non-leaking flexible conduit through which ahigh pressure fluid passes. The expansion force is transferred to thereinforcement which prevents the inner tube from bursting. In order toreduce the overall hose weight, the manufacturer is using a thin tubeand a thin outer cover. As these materials become thinner, therequirement that movement between the components of the hose, (i.e., theinner tube, reinforcement and outer cover) becomes more critical. Thusthere remains the need for a sine-wave lock device that produces minimalstress during the connection process between the connector and thereinforced hose used in rotary hoses and other high pressure rubberhoses.

The API (American Petroleum Institute, which produces the definitivestandards for the industry) introduced stricter standards for rotaryhoses in October 2006. These stricter standards resulted in threetemperature ranges and three “Flexible Specification Levels (standards)”for high pressure rotary hose. The temperature standards are as follows.

-   -   Temperature Range I: −20° C. to +82° C. [−4° F. to +180° F.]    -   Temperature Range II: −20° C. to +100° C. [−4° F. to +212° F.]    -   Temperature Range III: −20° C. to +121° C. [−4° F. to +250° F.]

The Flexible Specification levels are as follows.

-   -   FSL 0: Cement hoses only—no pulsation    -   FSL 1: Rotary, vibrator and jumper hoses—normal service only—no        high frequency pulsation.    -   FSL 2: Rotary, vibrator and jumper hoses—likely to incur high        frequency vibrations exceeding 6.9 MPa [1000 psi] during        operation.

Unfortunately, these new API standards caused a series of failures inmost (if not all) swaged end connectors particularly in TemperatureRange III and FSL 2 during testing. In the case of temperature rangeIII, the inner tube (the actual liquid containing element in a highpressure reinforced) hose melts resulting in disengagement of theconnector from the hose, leakage within the end connector or both.Unfortunately, the same failures happen in built-up hose and for thesame reason. Neither of these conditions is tolerable and thus thereremains a need for high pressure end connector that will meet the newAPI standards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Both embodiments of the invention consists of an improvement to thesine-wave lock disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,090 to Baldwin et al,wherein the improvement is a ferrule wherein all the flutes follow amodified (sine x)/x function in that the flutes go from a maximum heightat the termination end of the connector to a minimum height at the hoseend of the connector. The lands between the flutes are sloped or curvedfollowing a modified (sine x)/x function. The associated stem has aseries of matching bumps that, when the swaging operation is complete,align within the center of the lands of the ferrule. Although the bumpshave heights that vary from a maximum at the termination end of theconnector to a minimum at the hose end of the connector, there is notrue modified (sine x)/x that defines the bumps (unlike the originalBaldwin et al. invention). The stem and ferrule are connected togetherby a suitable process, such as welding.

The end connector is joined to the reinforced hose in the standardmanner which may involve skiving the outer jacket for the firstembodiment and skiving both the outer jacket and the inner carcass forthe second embodiment. The hose is carefully placed within the endconnector cavity formed between the ferrule and the stem to the pointwhere the end of the inner tube rests just past the last flute andwithin the last land at the termination end of the connector in thefirst embodiment. In the second embodiment the inner tube still restsjust past the last flute and within the last land, but the reinforcementcontinues further into the connector where a series of additional flutesand lands will contact the exposed reinforcement. The fitting is thenpreferentially swaged onto the hose using standard techniques.

As the swaging process occurs, the small bumps on the stem create anoffset force which causes the reinforcing to expand into the lands ofthe ferrule forming the sine-wave lock between the reinforcement and thelands and flutes of the ferrule.

The stem may be coated, during manufacture or at any time, with afriction reducing material that allows the inner tube of the reinforcedhose to more freely slide along the stem during the process that swages(or crimps) the connector to the hose. An expansion area for excessrubber and other ‘by-products’ (such as ‘extruded reinforcing material’)of the swaging operation is provided at the termination end of theconnector (i.e., between the ferrule and stem at the termination end ofthe connector).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the cross-section of a typical cable reinforced flexiblerubber hose.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the current state of the art endstandard connector with an NTP termination. (This is an old-styleconnection in use for many decades.)

FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of the ferrule used in the advancedcurrent state of the art ‘double lock sine-wave’ end connector. (The‘double lock sine-wave’ end connector has been in use for the past fiveyears.)

FIG. 3B is a cross-section taken at 3B.

FIG. 3C is a cross-section taken at 3C.

FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view of the stem used in the advancedcurrent state of the art ‘double lock sine-wave’ end connector.

FIG. 4B is a cross-section taken at 4B.

FIG. 4C is a cross-section taken at 4C.

FIG. 4D is a cross-section taken at 4D.

FIG. 5A shows the cross-sectional view of the ferrule used in the firstembodiment of the instant invention, being a general improvement to the‘double lock sine-wave’ connector. (Note the similarities between FIGS.3A and 5A.)

FIG. 5B is a cross section taken at 5B.

FIG. 5C is a cross-section taken at 5C.

FIG. 6A shows the cross-sectional view of the stem used in the firstembodiment of the instant invention, being a general improvement to the‘double lock sine-wave’ connector and forming a single lock sine wavewithin the overall device. (Note the dissimilarities between FIGS. 4Aand 6A.)

FIG. 6B is a cross-section taken at 6B.

FIG. 6C is a cross-section taken at 6C.

FIG. 7 is a sketch of the first embodiment of the improved end connectortaken about the longitudinal center line showing the ferrule joined tothe stem.

FIG. 8A is an engineering drawing from the side taken about thelongitudinal center line of the ferrule of the second and preferredembodiment of the improved end connector.

FIG. 8B is a cross-section taken at 8B.

FIG. 8C is a cross-section taken at 8C.

FIG. 9A is an engineering drawing from the side taken about thelongitudinal center line of the stem of the second and preferredembodiment of the improved end connector.

FIG. 9B is a cross-section taken at 9B.

FIG. 9C is a cross-section taken at 9C.

FIG. 10 is a sketch of the second and preferred embodiment of theimproved end connector taken about the longitudinal center line showingthe ferrule joined to the stem. This figure also defines certain termsused in the disclosure and the gripping zones used in the claims.

FIG. 11 shows the second and preferred end connector immediately beforethe “double-skived” high pressure reinforced hose is inserted into theend connector. Note that inner tube has been removed as well as theouter cover to expose the reinforcement.

FIG. 12 shows the second and preferred end connector immediately afterthe “double-skived” high pressure reinforced hose is inserted into theend connector and before swaging.

FIG. 13 shows the second and preferred end connector with the“double-skived” high pressure reinforced hose inserted into the endconnector and after swaging is complete.

FIG. 14 gives a table of connector dimensions for the second embodimentin the British System of Units.

FIG. 15 gives a skiving table for the second embodiment in the BritishSystem of Units.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a standard weight schedule D cable reinforced hose.Schedule E hose will generally have 4 interlocking reinforcing plys. Notshown is a cross-section of a European light weight wire reinforcedhose; however, it would be similar to FIG. 1, except there would be 6interlocking wire plys and the inner tube would comprise one thin layerof rubber.

The ferrule of the first embodiment of the instant invention is shown,in cross-section, in FIG. 5 and is machined from 4″×0.337 W Schedule 80Pipe. [It is difficult to give metric equivalents.] The ferrule of thesecond embodiment is shown, in cross-section, in FIG. 8 and is machinedfrom 9.00×0.750 wall mechanical tube (DOM). [It is difficult to givemetric equivalents.] One end (the end that will be welded to the stem)is placed in a Roll Die and compressed to form a narrower neck as shownat the far left in FIGS. 5 and 8. The inside of the ferrule is machinedto produce a series of lands and flutes (a total of six are shown inFIG. 5 with a total of ten being shown in FIGS. 8A-8C).

In FIGS. 5A-5C the first embodiment, the lands all have the same radialheight measured from the axial center line of the ferrule being4.03^(φ). The first and second flutes (counting from the hose end of theferrule) have a radial height of 3.88^(φ), the third flute has a heightof 3.86^(φ) and the final three flutes have a height of 3.83^(φ). FIGS.8A-8C, being the second embodiment, is somewhat different and will bedescribed in detail later paragraphs. In both embodiments the flutes areNOT axially spaced equidistantly along the ferrule. This is because itis known that as the ferrule is swaged (beginning from the hose end),the ferrule will move axially towards the hose end of the fitting untilthe reinforcement locks between the ferrule and the stem. The actuallock will not start to occur until the swage is about midway along theferrule. Up to this point the inner tube and hose is free to moveaxially away from the termination end of the fitting. When lock occurs,all movement of the inner tube and hose will be towards the terminationend of the fitting.

Simple mechanical calculations based on material properties and thedegree of swaging that will be applied allow the designer to calculatethe flute spacing so that after the fitting is swaged to the hose, thebumps of the stem will fall approximately midway inside the lands of theferrule. The manner in which the final position of the bumps atapproximately midway within the lands is the key to this device and howit obtains the sine-wave lock between the reinforcement and the ferrule.

The dimensions of the land and flute heights must not be read as arestriction but as an example. Similarly, the flute spacing shown mustnot be read as a restriction but as an example. Under some circumstances(larger diameter hose), it may be necessary to adjust these dimensionsso that they vary with distance from the hose end forming an overallslope.

At the end of the connector nearest the hose, the inside diameter of theferrule is increased so that when the ferrule is swaged minimum pressurewill be exerted on the rubber outer covering. The hose end is rounded asshown.

The stem of the first embodiment of the instant invention is shown, incross-section, in FIGS. 6A-6C and is machined from 3″×0.437 W ScheduleSMLS Pipe. Six “bumps” are 0.06-inches and are equidistantly machined inthe stem. As explained above, the relative position of the bumps on thestem and the lands on the associated ferrule is critical to forming thesine-wave lock between the ferrule and the reinforcement. Again, thedimensions given must not be construed as a restriction but as anexample. This is because this dimension will vary with the size of thefitting and the type of reinforced hose. Any engineer with knowledge ofmaterials and swaging may readily make adjustments to this disclosurefor varying sizes of fittings, hose, hose type and materials that couldbe used in the manufacturer of the fitting. In fact the size of thebumps should be chosen by trial and error to have a minimum height justso that the bumps cause the sine-wave lock of the reinforcement plys inthe ferrule. The best way to obtain the correct dimensions and spacingof flutes, lands, and bumps to by trial and error. Calculations willhelp.

The ferrule of FIGS. 5A-5C is welded to the stem of FIGS. 6A-6C at theledge on the stem and the complete assembly (being the first embodiment)is shown in FIG. 7. The weld is carefully inspected to assure quality.If the completed fitting is to be used in H₂S service, the fitting mustbe heat treated to reduce the possibly of hydrogen-sulphide stresscracking.

The first embodiment fitting is permanently attached to a reinforcedhigh pressure rubber hose using industry standard techniques—yet anotherplus for the device. The outer covering is usually skived to expose thereinforcement. The axial length of the skive is set by the axial lengthof the ferrule: one must make certain that approximately ½-inch of theouter cover falls under the hose end of the ferrule before swaging. Thehose is then carefully placed within the cavity formed between theferrule and the stem to approximately ½-inch from the far end of thecavity. This space allows for expansion of the hose during the swagingoperation.

As explained earlier, the swaging operation starts at the hose end ofthe fitting and moves axially along the fitting to the termination. Asthe ferrule is swaged, it moves radially inward towards the stem andaxially outward towards the hose. As the ferrule moves axially inward,the stem bumps act to displace all plys of the reinforcement into thelands of the ferrule. At approximately midway along the ferrule (duringswaging) the reinforcement at the hose end will lock in the form of asine wave (following the shape of the ferrule). As the swaging operationcontinues, the ferrule will move axially away from the hose end of thefitting along with the hose. The sine wave lock progressively moves withthe swage until swaging is stopped just past the last flute—away fromthe hose end. The ferrule will actually expand radially about the stemresulting in a volume which receives the excess rubber from the hose.

It must be understood that there is no mechanical lock between the innertube of the hose and the stem in the first embodiment. The mechanicallock is found between the lands and flutes of the ferrule in the form ofa modified sine-wave and the reinforcement. During the course of testingto meet the newer API standards it was found that the first embodimentdid not stand up to the new API standards for temperature andflexibility, hence the device was further enhanced to result in thesecond embodiment. However, the first embodiment of the device is stillan improvement to the double-lock Baldwin device and adds to the art.

Now let us examine the second and preferred embodiment which is amodification of the first embodiment necessitated by the new APIstandards for rotary hose involving both temperature and flexibility. Asexplained in the background section of this patent, the highertemperature causes the inner tube of a reinforced hose to more or lessturn to mush which results in two problems. First, the lock between thereinforcement and the connector fails because the rubber turns to jelly,and, second, a swaged connector slides off the hose. In the case of botha swaged connector and a built-up hose assembly, the mushy (due totemperature) inner hose leaks and fluid comes out between the hose andthe connector. Both the tendency for a swaged connector to come looseand the tendency for both a swaged connector and a build-up hoseconnector to leak are exacerbated by the flexibility standard. Hence theconcept of the first embodiment was expanded to solve the problem.

FIGS. 8A-8C shows the ferrule for the second and preferred embodiment.There are essentially three sets of flutes (bumps) and lands (grooves)and a termination gripping section. Starting at the end of the connectorfurthermost away from the hose (the left side in the FIG. 8A), there isa ‘zero’ or expansion area, followed by the first set of four flutes allhaving the same radial height measured from the axial center line of theferrule being 7.52^(φ) with the lands between the first set of fluteshaving a radial depth of 7.78^(φ). The second set of flutes (two) hasthe same radial height and the third set of flutes (four) being 7.50^(φ)and the land between these two flutes has a radial depth of 7.76^(φ).The lands between the third set of flutes has a radial depth of8.03^(φ). Finally the there is a termination flute that is slopped andtappers off from a radial height of 7.67^(φ) towards the end of theconnector that touches the outer jacket of the hose. As stated earlier,in both embodiments the flutes are NOT axially spaced equidistantlyalong the ferrule.

The stem of the second embodiment of the instant invention is shown, incross-section, in FIGS. 9A-9C and is machined from 6⅝-inch O.D.mechanical tubing—Gr. 4130 [again it is difficult to give a metricequivalent]. Starting from the end furthermost from the hose (the leftside in the Figure) there are two longitudinal flat areas having arelative height of 6.413^(φ) and 5.46^(φ). It will be seen that thefirst of these two areas acts in conjunction with the ferrule after andduring swaging to form an expansion zone (zone 1). The second area actsas a stop to the reinforcement as the hose is placed within the completeconnector as well as allowing some movement of the reinforcement duringswaging until the swage operation reaches this zone at which the ferruleand stem will crimp about the reinforcement to form a first grippingzone (zone 2) when the connector is swaged.

This is followed by four flutes also having a relative height of5.46^(φ). It will be seen that this set of flutes and lands will alignwith the first set of flutes and lands of the ferrule after swaging toform a second gripping zone (zone 3). The lands between these fluteshave a relative depth of 5.33^(φ). The last flute is somewhat differentand is followed by another (third) longitudinal flat area having arelative height of 4.98^(φ). It will be seen that this area will alignwith the second set of flutes and lands in the ferrule to form a thirdgripping zone (zone 4), which will act somewhat like a double crimp whenthe connector is swaged. (Note the backward slope in the transitionbetween the flute and the flat spot—this is not necessary but will beexplained.) This is followed by a series of four bumps having a heightof 4.98^(φ) with lands between the bumps having a relative depth of4.88^(φ). It will be seen that these bumps will align with the third setof flutes and lands in the ferrule to form a sinusoidal like fourthgripping zone (zones).

There is then a gentle transition back to a flat area having a relativeheight of 4.98^(φ). It will be seen that this transition acts inconjunction with the ferrule to form a stress reduction and terminationzone (zone 6). As explained above, the relative position of the bumpsand flutes on the stem and the lands on the associated ferrule iscritical to forming the sine-wave lock between the ferrule, thereinforcement, and the stem.

Again, the dimensions given must not be construed as a restriction butas an example. This is because this dimension will vary with the size ofthe fitting and the type of reinforced hose. Any engineer with knowledgeof materials and swaging may readily make adjustments to this disclosurefor varying sizes of fittings, hose, hose type and materials that couldbe used in the manufacturer of the fitting. In fact the size of thebumps should be chosen by trial and error to have a minimum height justso that the bumps cause the sine-wave lock of the reinforcement plys inthe ferrule. The same techniques used in the first embodiment to obtainthe correct height, depths and spacing must be employed, i.e., trial anderror.

The ferrule of FIGS. 8A-8C is welded to the stem of FIGS. 9A-9C at theledge on the stem and the complete assembly (being the secondembodiment) is shown in FIG. 10. The weld is carefully inspected toassure quality. If the completed fitting is to be used in H₂S service,the fitting must be heat treated to reduce the possibly ofhydrogen-sulphide stress cracking.

The second embodiment fitting is permanently attached to a reinforcedhigh pressure rubber hose using highly modified industry standardtechniques. First the outer covering is skived to expose thereinforcement. The axial length of the outer skive is set by the axiallength of the ferrule: one must make certain that approximately ½-inchof the outer cover falls under the hose end of the ferrule beforeswaging. Second, the inner carcass, which is essentially the inner tube,is skived to expose the reinforcement (not a usual procedure in rotaryhose). The axial length of the internal skive is set by the axial lengthof the fitting between points “B” and “D” (see FIG. 10).

The hose is then carefully placed within the cavity formed between theferrule and the stem to approximately where the reinforcement restsagainst point “B,” which acts as a stop against the reinforcement, andthe inner tube rests against point “D”, thus assuring proper placementof the hose within the connector. The space between points “A” and “B”allows for expansion of the hose and or the reinforcement during theswaging operation.

As explained earlier, the swaging operation starts at the hose end ofthe fitting and moves axially along the fitting to the coupling end. Asthe ferrule is swaged, it moves radially inward towards the stem andaxially outward towards the hose. As the ferrule moves axially inward,the stem bumps act to displace all plys of the reinforcement into thelands of the ferrule. At approximately point “D” within the connector(during swaging) the reinforcement at the hose end will lock in the formof a sine wave (following the shape of the ferrule). As the swagingoperation continues past point “D” toward point “A”, the ferrule willmove axially away from the hose end of the fitting along with the hose.The sine wave lock between the stem, reinforcement and ferruleprogressively moves with the swage until swaging is stopped just pastthe last flute near point “B”. Sometimes the swaging will continue to apoint between points “B” and “A”. The ferrule will actually expandradially about the stem resulting in a volume which receives the excessreinforcement from the hose (zone 1).

It must be understood that there is a mechanical lock between the stemand the ferrule between points “B” and “C” as a ‘crimp’ (the firstgripping zone—zone 2) and then there is the important mechanical lockbetween points “C” and “D” in the form of a modified sine-wave (zone 3).It is this sinusoidal lock (the second gripping zone) that holds theconnector to the hose. There is then a further mechanical lock foundbetween points “D” and “E” being the third gripping zone formed betweenthe second set of flutes and lands on the ferrule and the third flatarea of the stem (zone 4).

The set of bumps located between points “E” and “F” on the stem interactwith the third set of flutes and lands on the ferrule to form a fourthgripping zone which results in the form of a modified sine-wave betweenthe inner carcass and the reinforcement (zone 5). It is this lock thatstops the fluid from leaking around the stem of the connector and to theoutside of the hose when the inner tube turns mushy due to hightemperatures. Essentially this sinusoidal lock is the same as the firstembodiment.

Finally, the transition area between point “F” and the end of theconnector interacts with the termination flute of the ferrule to form afifth gripping and termination zone (zone 6). The process is illustratedin FIGS. 11 through 13. It is possible to skip the second skive (i.e.,the section of hose that falls in zone 5)—as in the first embodiment;however, the probability of fluid leakage will now be present.

Now let us try to understand the operation of the swaged connector whenthe hose is subjected to high temperature fluids which tend to cause theinner tube to become mushy (i.e., the inner tube looses strength andturns to jelly). The lip at point “D” inhibits the passage of mushyrubber back towards the open end of the connector. Similarly thecorresponding slopped sections of the ferrule and stem (sloping towardseach other when swaged) at the hose end of the connector in conjunctionwith the double crimp lock between points “D” and “E” and the sine-wavelock between point “E” and “F” of the connector serve to retain themushy inner carcass thereby preventing fluid leak from the connector.Finally, because of the sine-wave lock between the reinforcement, thestem, and the ferrule (between points “C” and “D”); the connector cannotbe pumped-off from the hose. The pump-off force is transferred from thefirst connector (at one end of the hose) to the reinforcement throughthe hose (the actual reinforcement) and onto the second connector (atthe other end of the hose). Providing the reinforcement is not damaged(the point of the sine-wave lock), then the reinforcement will not failwithin the connector. However, any failure will occur in the hose whichmakes the whole assembly much safer.

The inventive step is the realization that a series of bumps in the stemcould replace the original double sine wave lock of the Baldwin et aldevice. Furthermore, this device no longer requires expansion of thestem and no longer requires a step in the stem to reduce columnbuckling. Furthermore, machining is simplified and the number ofelements (double lock sine) is reduced to a single lock sine wave. Thesecond embodiment of the device is an improvement to the double-lockBaldwin device, adds to the art, and meets the new API specifications.

It must be remembered that all dimensions given in this disclosure arefor example and must not be read a limitation because dimensions willchange with hose diameter and pressure ratings. The number ofcorresponding flutes and lands will be set by the diameter of the hoseand the pressure rating and thus are subject to change. Two exampleshave been given, one for three inch hose (the first embodiment) and onefor five inch hose (the second embodiment). Two tables are shown inFIGS. 14 and 15 which give the fundamental dimensions for the secondembodiment connector, as well as details as to skive dimensions. Thetechniques described in this disclosure will allow a person skilled inthe manufacturing art to duplicate the two embodiments for variousdiameters and pressure ratings.

A high pressure rotary hose assembly can readily be assembled from aspecified length of specified high pressure hose from either of the twoembodiments disclosed above by the hose manufacturer or a localdistributor. As the specifications increase in temperature andflexibility requirements the hose assembly would be swaged from thesecond and preferred embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. An end connector for permanent attachment toreinforced hose having reinforcement, comprising: a stem having acoupler end, a hose receiver end; and a ferrule attached to the stem atan attachment point adjacent the coupler end, the stem and ferrulehaving a cavity located therebetween, extending along a length of theend connector, configured to receive an end of a reinforced hosetherein, and divided into: at least two gripping zones extending fromadjacent a point where the ferrule is attached to the stem toward thehose receiver end, the at least two gripping zones including: a firstgripping zone located adjacent the point where the ferrule is attachedto the stem and having a first plurality of flutes and lands formed inthe stem, and a second plurality of flutes and lands formed in theferrule, wherein the first gripping zone further includes an expansionzone located adjacent the attachment point, wherein a distance betweeneach of the flutes of the first plurality in the stem is different froma distance between each of the flutes of the second plurality, as takenalong a longitudinal central axis of the end connector; and a secondgripping zone located nearer the hose receiver end than the firstgripping zone and having a third plurality of flutes and lands formed inthe stem, wherein a distance between each of the flutes of the thirdplurality is different from the distance between each of the flutes ofthe first and second plurality, as taken along the central axis, andhaving a fourth plurality of flutes and lands formed in the ferrule,wherein an axial distance between each of the flutes of the fourthplurality is different from an axial distance between each of the flutesof the second plurality, as taken along the central axis.
 2. The endconnector of claim 1, wherein the number of flutes and landings or thesize of the flutes and lands of the first plurality is different fromthe number of flutes and lands or the size of the flutes and lands ofthe second plurality.
 3. The end connector of claim 1, wherein thenumber of flutes and lands or the size of the flutes and lands of thethird plurality is different from at least one of the first and secondplurality.
 4. The end connector of claim 3, wherein the third pluralityof flutes and lands are different in number or the size of the flutesand lands of both the first and second plurality of flutes and lands. 5.The end connector of claim 1, wherein the different configurationbetween the third and fourth plurality of flutes and lands is adifference between the number of or the size of the flutes and lands. 6.The end connector of claim 1, wherein the first gripping zone furtherincludes a reinforcement liner stop formed in the stem and locatednearer the expansion zone than the first plurality of flutes and lands.7. The end connector of claim 6, wherein the first plurality of flutesand lands is located between the reinforcement liner stop and an innerliner stop formed in the stem located nearer the hose receiver end thanthe first plurality of flutes and lands.
 8. A high pressure reinforcedhose assembly, comprising: an end connector having a coupler end and ahose receiver end, comprising: a ferrule attached to a stem at anattachment point adjacent the coupler end, the stem and ferrule having acavity located therebetween, extending along a length of the endconnector, configured to receive an end of a reinforced hose therein,and divided into: at least two gripping zones extending from adjacent apoint where the ferrule is attached to the stem toward the hose receiverend, the at least two gripping zones including: a first gripping zonelocated adjacent the point where the ferrule is attached to the stem andhaving a first plurality of flutes and lands formed in the stem, and asecond plurality of flutes and lands formed in the ferrule, wherein adistance between each of the flutes of the first plurality in the stemis different from a distance between each of the flutes of the secondplurality, as taken along a longitudinal central axis of the endconnector, and wherein the first gripping zone includes an expansionzone located adjacent the attachment point; and a second gripping zonelocated nearer the hose receiver end than the first gripping zone andhaving a third plurality of flutes and lands formed in the stem, whereina distance between each of the flutes of the third plurality isdifferent from the distance between each of the flutes of the first andsecond plurality, as taken along the central axis, and having a fourthplurality of flutes and lands formed in the ferrule, wherein a distancebetween each of the flutes of the fourth plurality is different from thedistance between each of the flutes of the second plurality, as takenalong the central axis; and a section of high pressure reinforced hosehaving first and second ends, an innermost liner, and one or morereinforcement layers located over the innermost liner, the first endbeing received within the cavity such that a portion of the one or morereinforcement layers engages a reinforcement liner stop formed in thestem and located nearer the expansion zone than the first plurality offlutes and landings lands, the hose extending into the expansion zone,and the innermost liner engaging an inner liner stop formed in the stemlocated nearer the hose receiver end than the reinforcement liner stop.9. The end connector of claim 8, wherein the number of flutes and landsor the size of the flutes and lands of the first plurality is differentfrom the number of flutes and lands or the size of the flutes and landsof the second plurality.
 10. The end connector of claim 8, wherein thenumber of flutes and lands or the size of the flutes and lands of thethird plurality is different from at least one of the first and secondplurality.
 11. The end connector of claim 10, wherein the thirdplurality of flutes and lands are different in number or the size of theflutes and lands of both the first and second plurality of flutes andlands.
 14. The end connector of claim 8, wherein the differentconfiguration between the third and fourth plurality of flutes and landsis a difference between the number of or the size of the flutes andlands.
 15. The end connector of claim 12, wherein ends of the firstplurality of flutes and lands are defined by the reinforcement linerstop and the inner liner.